According to the NFL Insider Adam Caplan, Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich believes the former Philadelphia Eagles franchise quarterback Carson Wentz is a player that Horseshoe ‘could build around’ – if it is acquired in a future trade:
“I’m not backing off from what I said two weeks ago, I still think it will be the Colts,” Caplan said during ‘Ferrall Coast to Coast’ at SportsGrid. “The reason is simply this: Frank Reich, the head coach, wants it. He trained him for two years in Philadelphia as an offensive coordinator. They had a close working relationship. Reich thinks about his world. “
“He (Reich) explained, Colts’ sources told me that, once they get into their free agent meetings, this is a guy they could build.”
That’s why Caplan predicts that Indianapolis will eventually become Wentz’s commercial destination.
The 28-year-old Wentz is still theoretically talented. He has the draft pedigree as the second overall choice of the 2016 NFL Draft, as well as a 2017 NFL MVP caliber season – when he launched 33 touchdowns for 7 interceptions during 13 games on an 11-2 Eagles team before, unfortunately , to suffer a torn ACL injury at the end of the season.
It even shows flashes of that talent from time to time.
In terms of playing style, he has a bazooka and is the type of double threat defender who can make moves with his arm and feet – presenting the ability to make moves under duress (often playing on the move) and using the ability to escape by passing out of pocket.
However, there is no sugar coating. Wentz was absolutely terrible last season. He played 16 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in 12 matches before being placed on the bench in favor of the novice quarterback Jalen hurts. There were also rumors of problems with his coexistence and responsibility as a Philadelphia defender last season.
Make no mistake, though, Wentz is a dynamic quarterback – when he’s really doing well, that could potentially turn into a quarterback in the NFL franchise again – and a star passer that the Colts could build on the attack. However, there are some bad habits developed to correct – in fact, many of them, so there is no guarantee of anything.
That said, Reich meets Wentz – having been his former offensive coordinator for the 2016-2017 Eagles, the last year that was also the best NFL season of Wentz’s career. The two have already developed a great relationship and a positive working relationship together. The Colts head coach knows what makes Wentz ‘truly outstanding’ and as a former NFL quarterback, he may be able to bring the best of the 2017 NFL All-Pro better than almost anyone else.
Wentz knows Reich’s system too – and in turn, it’s a friendly offense from the quarterback.
There is a lot of familiarity and a comfort zone between the two sides – making it a logical fit.
Still, not without risk.
Wentz essentially has an ‘easy exit’ from its mega-contract after two years, but there would still be high-cap hits for the Colts during each of these seasons – which would only be exacerbated if he continued to fight.
Although Wentz’s roof is very high, its floor (as we saw first hand last season) remains quite low.
There is also the whole issue of recruiting compensation, since the Colts – and any other business suitor, by the way, seem to be refusing to give up on a first-round choice right now.
Overcoming this, however, there are limited options from veteran quarterbacks of upgraded initial caliber to the Colts that are readily available this off-season. Wentz can undoubtedly be the reasonably best remaining option out there.
If the Colts (and especially Reich) really think that Wentz can be recovered and can recover his previous form of the MVP caliber (* or even close to that *), the risk may well be worth the reward for Indianapolis – and more, as a potential cornerstone of the franchise.